[5.10] New Eclipsing Contact Binary System in Auriga

We present data on a newly discovered eclipsing binary
system. The serendipitous discovery of this variable star
was made by J.W. Robertson analyzing inhomogeneous ensemble
photometry of stars in the field of the cataclysmic variable
FS Aurigae from Indiana University RoboScope data. We
obtained differential time-series BVR photometry during 2003
of this field variable using an ensemble of telescopes
including the university observatories at ATU, UCA and joint
ventures with amateur observatories in the state of Arkansas
(Whispering Pines Observatory and Nubbin Ridge Observatory).

The orbital period of this eclipsing system is 0.2508 days.
The B-V light curve indicates colors of 1.2 around
quadrature, to nearly 1.4 at primary eclipse. Binary star
light curve models that best fit the BVR differential
photometry suggest that the system is a contact binary
overfilling the inner Roche Lobe by ~12%, a primary
component with a temperature of ~4350K, a secondary
component with a temperature of ~3500K, a mass ratio of
~0.37, and an inclination of ~83 degrees. We present BVR
light curves, an ephemeris, and best fit model parameters
for the physical characteristics of this new eclipsing
binary system.